'Jazz Age Retrospectacular' to Begin with Concerts at Key West's Little White House
FLORIDA KEYS — Audiences can sway to the jazz tunes popular during Harry Truman's presidency on the grounds of the former president's Little White House Sunday and Monday, Jan. 15-16.
The two performances kick off the Jazz Age Retrospectacular, conceived to explore Key West's history and culture through the lens of America's iconic Jazz Age that began in the 1920s.
The concerts are to star second-generation musician Rock Solomon, who learned the jazz genre while helping his father — a Jazz Hall of Fame inductee who performed with greats ranging from Billie Holiday to Quincy Jones — set up 22-piece big band performances in Washington State.
Today Solomon is a bandleader and vocalist whose passion is preserving the timeless musical traditions of the Jazz Age while integrating fresh new interpretations. His major vocal influences include Nat King Cole, Louie Armstrong, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra and Layne Staley.
Solomon's Little White House performances, set for 8 p.m. both evenings, are to feature songs by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin as well as other selections from the Great American Songbook.
The Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum, located at 111 Front St., was Truman's presidential headquarters during 11 working vacations from 1946 to 1952. Today the gracious West Indian residence is open for tours as Florida's only presidential museum.
Concert tickets are $60 per person for table seating and are available at keystix.com.
Other Jazz Age Retrospectacular events are to include a collaborative concert featuring some of the genre's living legends and modern-day talents, swing dance nights, interactive mystery dinners based on Key West history and a theatrical concert titled "Jazz Noir:" Plans call for events to continue through early June.
Event information, schedule and locations: mixdeity.com
Florida Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
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The Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum, located at 111 Front St., was Truman's presidential headquarters during 11 working vacations from 1946 to 1952.
Rock Solomon is a bandleader and vocalist whose passion is preserving the timeless musical traditions of the Jazz Age while integrating fresh new interpretations.